Official Swearing-In to Take Place October 1, 2026
The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to announce that Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala has been selected to serve on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors, bringing Santa Clarita’s and the North Los Angeles County-San Fernando Valley Subregion’s voice and perspective to the regional body responsible for shaping transportation policy and investments across Los Angeles County. A swearing-in ceremony will take place tomorrow (Thursday, October 1, 2026) at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers at Santa Clarita City Hall (23920 Valencia Boulevard).
Mayor Pro Tem Ayala brings more than a decade of public service and transportation policy experience at the state, regional and local levels. She currently serves as a Director of the Los Angeles County North County Transportation Coalition (NCTC), representing Santa Clarita and working alongside regional leaders to advance transportation priorities throughout North Los Angeles County.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to represent Santa Clarita and our North County, San Fernando Valley and Malibu-Las Virgenes communities on the Metro Board,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ayala. As the third-largest city in Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita brings an important perspective to regional transportation conversations, and I am proud to bring my experience and passion for public service to this role. Transportation is ultimately about connecting people to their jobs, schools, businesses, families and communities. I look forward to working collaboratively with my fellow Board members, local leaders, businesses and transportation partners to help shape the future of transportation and strengthen connections throughout Los Angeles County.”
Prior to joining the Santa Clarita City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Ayala served in the California State Assembly and Senate, where she worked extensively on transportation legislation and initiatives. During her time in the Legislature, she collaborated with Caltrans, Metro, Metrolink and other transportation agencies while advocating for infrastructure, mobility, safety and transportation resources for communities throughout the districts she represented.
Her experience also includes collaborating with Metro on programs designed to support businesses and communities impacted by transportation projects. This work included collaborating with the Metro’s Business Interruption Fund Program, assisting on the Metro Eat Shop Play Program and supporting transportation safety education and community outreach. Through these efforts, she worked closely with residents, businesses and regional partners to connect communities with information and resources.
A longtime Santa Clarita resident, Mayor Pro Tem Ayala has also held leadership roles with business, education and civic organizations throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Her combination of transportation policy experience, work with the business community and collaboration across industries and levels of government will provide a broad perspective as she takes on this regional role.
“I also want to thank Ara Najarian for his many years of dedicated service on the Metro Board and for being such a strong advocate for the communities he represented,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ayala. “Ara has spent years making sure the needs of the North County and San Fernando Valley are heard, and our entire region has benefited from his leadership and commitment. I am grateful for his service and look forward to building on the strong foundation he has helped create.”
As a member of the Metro Board, Mayor Pro Tem Ayala will participate in regional discussions and decisions regarding transportation programs, policies, projects and investments affecting communities throughout Los Angeles County. She will represent the cities of Agoura Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Hidden Hills, La Cañada Flintridge, Lancaster, Malibu, Palmdale, San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Westlake Village. For more information on the Metro Board and its meetings, please visit BoardAgendas.metro.net.
